United States Department of JusticeUnited States AttorneyEastern District of Michigan

Northern Division101 First Street, Suite 200Bay City, Michigan

November 21, 2002

Contact: (313) 226-9758 - Gina Balaya>

Former Financial Aid Director at Central Michigan University Pleads Guilty to SFA Fraud

United States Attorney Jeffrey G. Collins announced that Linda Mrochinski, 49, a former resident of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, now living in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, entered a plea of guilty before United States District Judge David M. Lawson in federal court on Wednesday, November 20, 2002, to a charge that, while employed at Central Michigan University in 2000, she embezzled, obtained by fraud, and misapplied financial aid loan funds by enrolling for courses at the University and then using her position in the Financial Aid office at CMU to manipulate the system so that student loan funds to which she was not entitled and was not eligible to receive were nonetheless disbursed to her. Approximately $4,839 was fraudulently obtained.

Assistant United States Attorney James A. Brunson, who prosecuted the case, stated that, "The information presented to the court at the time of the plea showed that Ms. Mrochinski, while employed in the University financial aid office, changed a computer code within the financial aid office, deleting a code which would have prevented her from obtaining a student loan."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brunson added that, "Sentencing of Ms. Mrochinski was scheduled by Judge Lawson for February 20, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. Ms. Mrochinski faces a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. She may be further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $26,097.00 and a $100 special assessment fee. The sentence will be imposed under the United States Sentencing Guidelines according to the nature of the offense."

Attorney Brunson stated, "Ms. Mrochinski was continued on bond pending her sentencing."

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Education.